# Respect for Marriage Act

> Codified federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages, requiring states to honor valid marriages from other states.

Joe Biden · Culture & Social · Legislation · Dec 13, 2022
Official record: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respect_for_Marriage_Act

## What happened

Codified federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages, requiring states to honor valid marriages from other states.

## How it happened

Passed with bipartisan support amid concerns the Supreme Court could revisit marriage rights; signed December 13, 2022.

## Documented impact

- [positive / substantiated] Provided a federal backstop for marriage equality. — Guaranteed federal recognition and interstate portability of same-sex and interracial marriages.
- [mixed / substantiated] Did not fully mandate every state to perform such marriages. — It protects recognition but relies on the current Court precedent for the underlying right; religious-liberty carve-outs were included.

## Sources

- [Respect for Marriage Act (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respect_for_Marriage_Act)

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Canonical: https://eo.alanwizemann.com/eo/biden/respect-for-marriage-act